Young Guns: Eight 2027 Prospects To Watch In 2024-25

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of New Mexico is filled with outstanding young basketball talent. Here are some of the top players from the 2027 class (currently sophomores) for the upcoming 2024-25 season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2283972' first='Carin' last='Bustillos'], Valencia</strong>: While Bustillos may be flying under the radar for some prep hoops followers, we were so impressed when we watched him play live that we ranked him #6 in our 2027 rankings. As a freshman for the Jaguars, he averaged 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, numbers we believe will rise considerably in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2833760' first='Camden' last='Daves'], Mesilla Valley Christian</strong>: The 6-foot-5 Daves is one of the more intriguing young players in southern New Mexico. He averaged 14.7 points per game to lead the SonBlazers into the Class A playoffs. Look for Daves to keep scoring at a high pace and for MVCHS to advance deeper into the playoffs in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2306013' first='Malakhi' last='David'], Hobbs</strong>: The Eagles should be a very intriguing team – and one of the tallest – in 2024-25. David and 7-foot [player_tooltip player_id='1524943' first='Parker' last='Henderson'] should form one of the tallest frontcourts around. Last season David averaged 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game as a freshman. However, [player_tooltip player_id='1717327' first='Braylon' last='Vega']'s transfer to Artesia probably means more will be expected of David this coming season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2833741' first='CJ' last='Granados'], Dexter</strong>: In addition to being a superb quarterback in football, the 6-foot-2 Granados is also an exceptional basketball player. His athleticism is off the charts. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for the Demons as a freshman in 2023-24. All those already impressive numbers should increase in 2024-25 and look for Dexter to make the Class 3A playoffs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111977' first='David' last='Lunn'], Volcano Vista</strong>: Ranked #1 in our 2027 prospect rankings, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Lunn helped lead Volcano Vista to another Class 5A state championship last March and unquestionably he'll be a key figure for the Hawks in 2024-25 as they aim for the four-peat. Lunn is fast, strong and extremely athletic. West Virginia of the Big 12 has offered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026077' first='Elijah' last='Martinez'], Cibola</strong>: Our #4 prospect in the 2027 rankings, Martinez showed this summer for ABC Spotlight why he's so highly thought of by coaches and scouts. He averaged 8.0 points per game for Cibola as a freshman last season. Excellent shooter with good instincts and feel for the game.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2026076' first='Brandon' last='Mason Jr']., ABC Prep</strong>: A sensational summer on the AAU circuit has helped turn Mason Jr. into one of the nation's top 2027 prospects. Lauded for his high basketball IQ, ability to catch-and shoot the 3 and defensive prowess, the 6-foot-4 Mason Jr. earned 16U First-Team All-League honors from hoops platform RecruitLook. He already hold seven D1 offers, including Wisconsin-Green Bay, San Jose State and Nebraska-Omaha.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2306011' first='Grady' last='Munson'], Gateway Christian</strong>: Munson, the #7 prospect in our 2027 rankings, is one of the top young players in the state. He averaged a team-high 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game as a freshman last season for the Class 1A Warriors. They return virtually their entire roster, so don't be surprised if Gateway Christian is significantly improved this season. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrandonMasonJR1/status/1822043693274276014","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrandonMasonJR1/status/1822043693274276014 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/RL_Hoops/status/1821332440478314657","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/RL_Hoops/status/1821332440478314657 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Hoopinatibrand/status/1809695933728231586","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Hoopinatibrand/status/1809695933728231586 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ElijahMtz2027/status/1818767344103309402","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ElijahMtz2027/status/1818767344103309402 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cj_granados10/status/1780080608384893350","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/cj_granados10/status/1780080608384893350 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->